Selected Press Reviews

BBC News Slideshow, September 2011. “Soldiers in Afghanistan: In our own words: The daily threat of being wounded or killed on patrol, the boredom of life in camp, and missing family and friends at home. The personal thoughts of British soldiers serving on the front line are captured in a new exhibition at Imperial War Museum North.” Slideshow Production by Paul Kerley. BBC News.

The Independent 27 September 2011. “Despite regular updates on military activity, it’s rare to hear from soldiers directly – but a new exhibition gives them the chance to express hopes and fears with honesty. Terri Judd reports on groundbreaking work in Afghanistan.” The Independent.

The i – 27 September 2011, front page. “Mentioned in dispatches – An honest and moving portrait of life on the front line for British soldiers comes through in jottings collected for a unique art project.”

BBC Radio 4 Front Row 28 September 2011. “Mark Lawson discusses with artist Derek Eland his new exhibition. Eland asked front-line soldiers in Afghanistan to write about their experiences. The notes are on display in a new installation at the Imperial War Museum North. Eland discusses how the soldiers felt about sharing their feelings.” BBC Radio 4 Front Row.

The Sunday Mirror – 2 October 2011. “DUSTED with sand and stained with ­raindrops, some scribbled on ­tattered ration boxes, these are the moving thoughts of soldiers on the Afghan frontline. War artist Derek Eland spent a month in Helmand province ­asking soldiers to record their feelings on his postcards. Uncensored and anonymous, their comments range from the jokey and mundane – complaining about Army routine – to the ­shockingly emotional, talking about the horror of losing friends.” Mirror.

BBC Radio 3, Night Waves 3 October 2011. “As a new exhibition titled ‘In Our Own Words: Soldiers’ Thoughts from Afghanistan’ opens at the Imperial War Museum North we look at how the portrayal of the modern day soldier has changed. Derek Eland, the artist behind the exhibition, Professor Simon Wessely, director of the King’s Centre for Military Health Research and historian and author Joanna Burke join Matthew Sweet to discuss.” BBC Radio 3 Night Waves.